CYCLONE AT BRISBANE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1927, Page 3

CYCLONE AT BRISBANE

[Australian & N.Z. Cablo Association.] CYCLON K R F.SU LTS. BRISBANE. Feb. 14. Latest reports state the cyclone in Northern Queensland caused fifteen deaths, while many are reported missjug. The cyclone at Ingham was accompanied by the highest flood in the history of Herbert River. It swept %ie district for forty-eight hours, commencing on Wednesday night when

practically the whole of the district was submerged and resulted ill an ap-

palling loss of life and damage to property and crops, and heavy loss of C live stoclr. Nearly ten inches of rain fell on Wednesday and the same rainfall report -was at Warherton, which is at the base of Herbert River. The

avater came down in raging torrents.

trapping hundreds of people living on \ the. low-lying parts. By Friday morning the flood had reached its apex and was three feet higher than the record flood of 18-19. In Ingham there were many houses destroyed and many washed bodily down the stream. Three men on one of these were rescued when the house was stranded after being ex-

posed for two days and two nights. ' . A meeting of the authorites appoint- ' ed a vigilance committee and the whole i town and surrounding districts have / been rationed. Food is scarce and lias to he obtained l>y ticket. Special constables were sworn in and are making arrangements to house a great number of destitutes who have lost everything. Although communication with the outside districts is still considerably interrupted it is known at Rinplo Creek that a house containing 17 Italians was swept away. Of those fit home only two were saved, 'file damage to property has been immense and at Ingham boats were plying all night 7. rescuing families marooned, and supplying food to some people who had been living on house tops for three days without food. Hundreds of horses and cattle were swimming about in the ■water for hours before being drowned The whole district is littered hv carcases. A sudden moderation of the iWud on, Thursday undoubtedly saved many lives. Halifax is still isolated but it is believed this centre suffered lieavily,- owing to the' sudden rise of the Herbert River. Torrential rain again deluged Cairns

on Saturday night, causing further

> extensive damage. Later advice states - Ingham flood waters are six feet deep in the main street.

FUR.THER DAMAGE. BRISBANE', Eeh. M

The Gulf steamer, TCnllatinn, was caught*in the cyclone and lifted on to the reef by the wind, which flu up open the portholes, letting in !•' water. Life belts were served out 1 the passengers, but the steamer later got ofF the reef and reached port safely.

As reports from isolated districts are received it is expected the death roll l will increase alarmingly. At Homehill tlio water from the 1 Bnrdefcin river rose at the phenomenal rate of ren feet per hour and a half ' and was 3} feet over the railway line at Inkermnn railway bridge. ThrongiiW out Saturday night it continued to rise and then in the dirly hours, the alarm whistle at the power house announced it had broken its hanks. At daylight the river was rushing in an angry stream and flooded many liundreds of acres of cane lands. A little later the water was twenty-one feet over the rails at Inkermnn bridge, and rushing through the town in an angry torrent. The residents were removed to the mill barracks on high ground without loss of life. Though the river reached a record height at Charters Towers no alarm was felt, owing to tlio enormous area of country over which the water may spread between the town and Bowen. > The Air Force offered to send senplanes from Bowen if The river at Charters Towers has risen to a record height of sixty-flve feet. At places the river is a mile wide and considerable anxiety is felt for the safety of the towns of Sellheim and Mncross'an. At the hitter place all the residents and their belongings were removed To high ground and the riv»er is now seventy-nine feet oyer the summer level and is still rising. A remarkable feature In this area is al-

though the river is a record height only two inches of rain has Stllen. Much anxiety is also felt tor the residents of Ayr and Homehill as the flood waters will not reach the maximum ill these districts until Monday morning. A train will lie held in readiness to rescue the residents. The postmaster hit Homehill advised on Saturday that he closed the Post Office as the river was about to break its banks. He added if the train reached town all the residents would be 4ived. The Acting-Premier received a report that at least IdO.OOO tons of an estimated crop of (109.00!) tons ot sugar cane is destroyed. The Marine Board advised that all navigation marks in the area affected by the cyclone were out of position and the Board therefore is recommeiiiTliig daylight navigation only for the present. Shipping all along the const Is sheltering. Other reports state at least twenty lives were lost mill many are missing. At Beamside whole families were wiped out and the coastal steamer Innisfail and several launches carrying fishing parties are missing.